The IIFYM Experiment Week 2

After almost three weeks on the IIFYM eating protocol I’m scratching my head at the results.

IIFYM stands for “if it fits your macros” which means that you eat a specified number of macro nutrients — proteins, fats, and carbohydrates (and if you’re smart, fiber). My first week results were mind-boggling, and now after two weeks, even more so.

According to the numbers, as of week two I had lost 4.5 lbs. That’s believable enough.

Date

Body Fat %

Muscle Weight

Fat Weight

Total Body Weight

5/24/2018

17.00%

130.7

26.8

157.5

5/17/2018

22.80%

123.1

36.4

159.5

5/10/2018

26.00%

119.9

42.1

162

2 week change

9%

-10.8

15.3

4.5

But adding 10.8 lbs of muscle and shedding 15.3 lbs of fat? Preposterous!

A superhero couldn’t add this much muscle and lose this much fat in this short a time period. I can think of only two explanations for these numbers.

Explanation 1: Improper use of body fat calipers. Is it possible that, even after reading the instructions and watching several videos, I’m still not using the calipers properly?

Explanation 2: Muscle pump. Is it possible I’ve been so carb-starved for so long the carb intake is plumping my muscle, tightening my skin, and skewing body the fat caliper readings?

If you have other plausible explanations, or have input on my proposed explanations, please comment. Also, if you are trying IIFYM I’d love to hear about your experience.